Title
Hybridization-based gold nanoprobe assay for the detection of candidemia in ICU patients - A novel method
Authors
Anitha Subramanian1, Anupma Jyoti Kindo2,*, M. K Renuka3 & Anusha Karunasagar4
Affiliation
1Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Porur, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India; 2Department of Microbiology, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Porur, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India; 3Department of Critical Care Medicine, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Porur, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India; 4Department of Microbiology, The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust, Harlow, United Kingdom; *Corresponding author
Anitha Subramanian -E-mail: anisrmc@sriramachandra.edu.in
Anupma Jyoti Kindo - E-mail: anupamajyoti@sriramachandra.edu.in
M. K Renuka - E-mail: renuka.mk@sriramachandra.edu.in
Anusha Rohit - E-mail: anusha3rohit@gmail.com
Article Type
Research Article
Date
Received May 1, 2026; Revised May 31, 2026; Accepted May 31, 2026, Published May 31, 2026
Abstract
Candidemia is a life-threatening infection in ICU patients, with mortality rates of 35–75%, yet current diagnostic methods such as blood culture and conventional Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) lack the sensitivity required for timely detection. Therefore, it is of interest to address this unmet diagnostic need, we developed a hybridization-based gold nanoprobe (AuNP) colorimetric assay for the direct detection of Candida DNA from 3 ml EDTA blood samples. AuNPs were functionalized with Candida-specific thiol-modified oligonucleotide probes using a modified salt-aging process and target DNA hybridization was performed at 56°C followed by visual colour assessment. The assay demonstrated 76% sensitivity, significantly outperforming conventional PCR at 24%, with positive results showing a distinct red-to-purple colour shift and a detection limit of 10 ng/μL. This rapid, low-cost, naked-eye-readable method using UV-Vis spectroscopy is particularly suitable for resource-limited ICU settings, offering a practical tool for earlier candidemia diagnosis and improved clinical outcomes.
Keywords
Candidemia, gold nanoprobe (AuNP), hybridization, illness
Citation
Subramanian et al. Bioinformation 22(5): 2942-2948 (2026)
Edited by
Vini Mehta
ISSN
0973-2063
Publisher
License
This is an Open Access article which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly credited. This is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License.
